BEN WILLIAMS witnessed the famous Sir Alex Ferguson ‘hairdryer’ at full blast during his days with Manchester United.

But the Hibs keeper revealed boss Pat Fenlon opted for the SILENT treatment to get across his anger at their late 3-2 collapse last week.

Hibs threw away a two-goal lead at home to Motherwell in a worrying run of four defeats in five SPL games.

Fenlon spoke of his disgust at his players’ capitulation in midweek but Williams says there were no fireworks at the time.

And the Englishman recalled the day he saw United boss Fergie’s fury after a blunder handed Chelsea a goal.

Williams is tight-lipped about the player’s identity but it appears to have been fellow keeper Roy Carroll.

Ahead of tomorrow’s lunchtime trip to Kilmarnock the former Old Trafford kid said: “I never experienced the ‘hairdryer’ personally but saw it directed elsewhere. The first time you see it takes you back a bit. I won’t say who but it was an away game at Stamford Bridge. It was a tight match we drew 2-2 but a mistake led to Chelsea scoring.

“A true professional will hold their hands up after making a mistake and the player did – but he was still reminded about it!

“Pat Fenlon could have ranted and raved at all of us last week and it would have been justified. But sometimes if you’re quiet that can be as effective.

“The fact it came out later in the Press proved that saying nothing was how he wanted to deal with it. It’s like we weren’t worth his words. Sometimes silence works.

“When you’re a manager you put a hell of a lot of work in behind the scenes. And for us to be 2-0 up, to then lose the soft goals we did – I’d be tearing my hair out too.”

Another tip Williams picked up at Man United is not to dwell on a defeat – something Ferguson spoke about this week in the legendary gaffer’s lecture to the USA’s Harvard Business School.

Williams said: “It was drilled into me as a youngster at Old Trafford you put your all in for the game.

“If you make a mistake it’s well documented and you get told about it – with the ‘hairdryer’ treatment or whatever.

“I read about Sir Alex giving a lecture saying it’s important you deal with it there and then and put it to bed. Then you get back on the training pitch and prepare for the next game.

“Yes, you rectify the mistakes you’ve made, which we’ve been doing. We’ve done a lot of defensive work in training. But your concentration and focus is on the next game.”

Hibs face a crucial four-game spell – including a home game with champions Celtic and an Edinburgh derby – before the winter break and Williams wants Fenlon’s side riding high again.

He said: “It’s a test of character. But we’re a work in progress and if the manager can strengthen in January then we can kick on.”